2 comments about Daggerfall: Unauthorized Strategy Guide (Secrets of the Games Series.).

1. This stragegy guide has almost everything an rpg player would need to finish daggerfall. This book gives you strategy and tips on fighting monsters, customizing your own character, dungeon crawling, the problems of everyday life, from politics to killing, and many other tips and strategies that help the gamer enjoy daggerfall to their utmost capacity. My only complaint is that the book contains no maps on the important dungeons such as castle sentinel or castle wayrest. my advice is get this book if you can find it. in addition get the official strategy guide entitled DAGGERFALL CHRONICLES. Normally it's better to get the official strategy guides as opposed to the unofficial ones. However, Daggerfall Unauthorized Strategy Guide has more strategy, tactics, and player insights than the official guide, but the official guide has all the necessary maps. The bottom line is: if you need tips to finish the game, buy this book ASAP! If all you care about are easy ways to walkthrough dungeons, then stick with the official guide. The official guide, however, is also out of print.



2. Using a strategy guide used to be only as a take-off platform for an otherwise difficult game, Ultima V: Paths of Destiny had no walktrhu but got you oriented right. This book goes in to far too much detail about how you "should do this " and you Must make your thief/spy "this" way and so forth, pretty commonplace now as people cannot think for themselves, but this was not acceptable when published. The best part of this book(avoid the chapters dealing with plots and sub plots) is the actuall STRATIGY involved in a beginning adventuer. The tips for starting out of Priv Hold are right here! Once you can actually last ten seconds out there, you don't really need the book. Banking and management are hard yes and developement is a little odd(in '97 people wern't familiar with the character dev system) since the instruction manual does nothing to document actuall developement STRATIGY, this book is a must for a beginner to the odd ball system. You dev 10 like-minded skills and sleep on it promptly.(no napping in between as I understood-this was fixed in Morrowind and Oblivion). The clubs and factions are also important(more so!) and also quick tips(not necessarily power gaming just first time survival) are very good for the weakling level 1 guy. Going in a graveyard to loot treasure,,,, repeatedly, isn't powergaming if the game it'self is a glitch pile! Other than "first time in towne, buddy?" avoid the other chapters. Your 30 HP barbarian with mithril rings on his fingers and ebony dagger encrusted bells on his toes, 60 speed, and all +1 bonuses to abilities isn't necessary(IMO) And don't let the book intimidate you into the YOU MUST DO IT THAT WAY OR DIE! You don't need to worry about maxing the game speed either but if you do you can fight even at max and a less-than bellsn'whistles speed rating! It's just more challenging that way! It just isn't role playing if you max speed and agility for all classes you play. You can actully get pretty far in the game with a normal stratigy or comon sense and perserverence, it's a game! it's supposed to be a challenge!(let the trolls kill ya a few times then rethink, like in the old days!) THe powergamng chapter is nice and thier is a warning not to read it(I sugesst heeding it!) if you don't powergame in RPG's, but the other "tips" in the "Character Developement sect" in particular, are just as bad. I give it a mediocre rating but not bad. IF you don't get my shorthand, you are STOAP'ih'T! don't bother commenting or "axing me what'z bout anyway(s). you have no wieght to your words! 'K bye!

1 comments about The Official Shadow Man Strategy Guide.

1. Need help with the teriffic, horrific game Shadow Man? This guide is your best bet! Straight forward strategies on levels, enemies, weapons, and even Dark Souls will have you defeating Legion in no time. This guide is also entertaining with art straight from the Acclaim artists themselves! So, if you want to be helped and entertained with Shadow Man vibe, this guide is your best bet.

5 comments about The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. I got my book today with the game and I couldn't beleive how small it was. It's like half the size of a normal book and when I was playing the game and needed to look at the book, I had to pause the game open the book read what I needed and then go back to the game and if I didn't get what the book told to do and needed to go back to the book, I still had to pause the game to try to find the right page. The book just doesn't work for me...still gives good hints to get through the stages but a hassel to try to keep looking at the book and then get right back to the game. Still recommend it for getting everything within the game!



2. I always buy these guide books because I am an older adult and need the extra help. I do not like the format of this book because it is long and skinny, rather than the usual 8 1/2X11 or larger size. That being said, it is a beautiful, very helpful guide. I wish it had had more of an explanation on the various weapons and combinatins.
   I'd buy it again, but hope all guide books don't take this fomat.



3. This guide is very hard to use. It's hard to keep the book open if you force it, it will tear apart the book. Maybe it's the size of the book or the quality of the gluing.



4. I read the reviews about this item and started not to order it, but I do need the walk through so decided to get it anyway. It's much smaller than I expeted it to be. I certainly hope they will redo it and make it the size of the other Prima Official Guides!!!



5. The book is nice looking and has all the helpful hints you need to play the whole game without missing anything, but it's awkward to deal with due to the size. It doesn't just stay open so you can look at it while you play - if they want to make it smaller like this then they need to also make it spiral-bound so it will stay open. Still a good purchase though.

5 comments about Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (PS2, Xbox, PC and GC) (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. If you have the ps2 version of this game do not get this book unless you are absolutley lost. Even then, think twice. It is written for the xbox and pc versions of the game, and it includes sidebars for the ps2 versions. Plus, the pictures shown are only for the xbox and pc versions, which will confuse a lot of people. If you have the xbox or pc versions, I give this book five stars. PS2 version, only 2.



2. NOTE: I have the PS2 version of the game, so I don't know how well this book works as a guide for Xbox and PC versions.
   For the PS2 version, though, as a basic walkthrough, it is certainly better than nothing, but I still feel like I was misled when the book advertises itself as being for all 3 platforms (Xbox, PC, and PS2). When I got stuck on one part of the game, I consulted this book and still couldn't get through it. I accidentally flipped to the next page and then noticed what the book calls a "PS2 sidebar." At first, I thought it was something extra for the PS2 version until I looked closely and saw that it began at a point just before the part that I was stuck on. It turns out that a completely different strategy is necessary on PS2 for that part than on the other platforms. A note on the previous page that says something to the effect of "PS2 users: See side bar on next page for this part" would have been nice. That's an example of how the organization of the book is lacking.



3. For those of you who do not have the time to work through this game, the guide is useful. But that also begs the question, "Why did you even buy the game in the first place?"...So instead of using the guide take your time.
   FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!
   While playing Splinter Cell I figured out some cheats.Hit the F2 key and then type HEALTH,AMMO or FLY. They do the obvious.



4. This guide is racist against the PS2 version! Not only that, but I have played and beaten the XBOX version at a friends house, and uncovered that there are various picture faults and the text wording is somewhat poor. Not only that, but some directions for the XBOX version are wrong, several wrong for PS2 (DON'T tell me to look in the ps2 sidebar, because thats what I meant.) This may be the last prima guide I buy.



5. EXCELLENT PRODUCT AND A MUST HAVE FOR THOSE DIE HARD FANS OF TOM CLANCY. IT DEFINTELY HELPED ME OUT TO CONTINUE WITH THE GAME.

4 comments about Game Development Essentials: Video Game Art.

1. This is a great title by someone who really knows his stuff. Writing from actual games industry experience(something which most 3D/Design authors don't have) it's evident that he really knows his stuff, and the book clearly represents that.
   The title not only looks at the creative, but also the technical aspects of creating game content that is usable, and easily implementable, with essential techniques that will give you a very strong skillset. Highly recommended.



2. Todd Gantzler has put together a very comprehensive book for video game art with 3d Studio Max. He covers from the top to the bottom of creating scenes. From the basics of texture mapping, advanced placement with UVW unwrapping modifiers, procedural modeling, box modeling, the author covers all of the essentials.
   
   The most important aspects of this book are:
   1. Very in depth and detailed COLOR pictures (RARE in tutorial books)
   2. Tutorials are very relevant to the purpose of the book.
   a. Example: You actually model a spider, statue, a human, a sword and texture them all!
   3. Steps are taken to explain, then produce products. So you have a reason for the method demonstrated.
   4. * ALL LESSONS WORK!!!!
   
   In short, I highly recommend this book it has taught me a GREAT deal about the industry. There aren't many books that explain so SIMPLY yet cover so much.
   
   Anyone interested in intermediate modeling and texturing should purchase this book.
   
   It is for people who:
   1. Have a general knowledge of 3d Studio Max
   2. Want to develop thier intermediate modeling and texture skills further.
   
   Warning: This book does not teach animation.
   
   Please Todd Gantzler, produce another book on animation!!!!!



3. I could not help feeling that Todd intended this book to be used in the classroom. It is organized very well for a semester in "Game Art". The reader has a chance to do some basic texturing and modeling. The emphasis is on 3d Max 6 and no animation is covered. Personally, I wished less modeling was covered and more visual art and texturing was covered instead. Also, more character texturing. There is a character that you model at the end of the book, but it is just a robot-type without a face and no texturing is involved. However, it is difficult to cover so many topics in one text. You will also find that some of the web links to tools he used for texturing are out of date and broken. If you have the latest Max tools, these tools may not be compatible anyway. In summary, a good text but more on texturing and character texturing would have made it an excellent choice.



4. This book is great for teaching the basics of 3D modeling even if you know nothing at the start. It can be somewhat hard to find the buttons that the author is talking about in 3ds Max 8 but once you do everything follows along with the book perfectly.

5 comments about Command & Conquer Red Alert 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide.

1. I think I am the only adult who has written a review for this book in the Amazon.com website. I don't think kids would need to read this book because they seem to find out everything about the game just by playing it for hours on end! Well, I enjoy real time strategy games too, but can't afford to spend the same amount of time as my younger colleagues on them. This is where Prima's guide comes in. It provides a quick overview of all the elements of the game, walkthroughs for all the missions, and some general strategy tips, exactly what is needed in a 3rd party manual. It is well-indexed too so I can find what I need quickly. The manual is fairly small, but this is because the game is not so deep as some others, like Age of Kings for example.



2. Hey guys, howz everyone doing? Well I brought this book a week or so ago becuase I'm in love with the game, and it really is a good book. Although I've done all the missions several times without the help of the book, it certainly gave me some good tips. If your a RA2 nut like me you won't need the stratigies but they're still fun to read! Colour photos would of been nice but u can't have everythiung I suppose! Cpaw ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



3. This book was useful to me and, possibly, you in many many ways. First off, walkthroughs for all solo missions and stragy for multiplayer. Second, unit and building reviews. Third, FAQ's and many other secret and helpful pieces of info. Get this book.... It's worth it.



4. I picked this book up when I purchased RA2, and 3 hours after buying it, I returned it. This book is useless for anyone that can play and be successful at a video game. And for those of you who can't, it's called a trainer and it lets you make the game much easier and go by quicker. This is a book is a bomb.



5. This game is a great game, if you like the cold war!!!<br /> It has a lot of varieties!!

1 comments about Blue Stinger Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides).

1. This book is everything I hoped for and lots more. It is complete for Blue Stinger. I HIGHLY recommend it.

5 comments about Game Design: Secret of the Sages.

1. If you dont own this book, you can't become a game programmer. Absolutely one of the best books around. This will tell you about how to design your game, how to chose topics, what you need, and help with publishing. It offers websites with help, and schools for game designers. This is not only for programmers. You want to be a graphic designer(for games)? This tell you the tools used by the big guys. It includes interviews with hundreds of professionals, including the makers of Final Fantasy and Mario Brothers. THIS IS THE BOOK. I reffer to this book before doing anything with games. But, they are coming out with a third edition, so new buyers, you can wait if you would like. This book was much more than I expected. Good job Marc Saltzman!



2. This book covers all of the fundamentals for a games designer. The content is mostly theory and doesnt give many examples of design templates, but having worked for both EA and Acclaim I have come to realise that design templates are rarely alike in different companies and learning them is more a case of gaining experience at a particular company. I would certainly say that this book teaches, someone wanting to become a games designer, everything that a book can teach you.



3. This book covers all of the fundamentals for a games designer. The content is mostly theory and doesnt give many examples of design templates, but having worked for both EA and Acclaim I have come to realise that design templates are rarely alike in different companies and learning them is more a case of gaining experience at a particular company. I would certainly say that this book teaches, someone wanting to become a games designer, everything that a book can teach you. I would also recommend buying a book on manga or storyboarding, if you are serious about becoming a games designer.



4. This book covers all of the fundamentals for a games designer. The content is mostly theory and doesnt give many examples of design templates, but having worked for both EA and Acclaim I have come to realise that design templates are rarely alike in different companies and learning them is more a case of gaining experience at a particular company. I would certainly say that this book teaches, someone wanting to become a games designer, everything that a book can teach you. I would also recommend buying the following book on manga game characters, if you are serious about becoming a games designer (ISBN: 4766111206).



5. The newest edition of this book (the 5th) is for some reason published under a different name. The first four editions were published under this title (1st edition was copyrighted in 1999). The newer version of this book can be found on Amazon's website also, under the title "Game Creation and Careers: Insider Secrets from Industry Experts", published June 2003 with a 2004 copyright (1st edition), so be sure you get the newest copy (if you don't believe me just check the table of contents of both books - they are 95% identical and published by the same author).

1 comments about Dragon's Lair 3D (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. For all who didn't know, Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to The Lair was a game which almost didn't make it to shelves. Bogged down in development hell for some time, then after some trouble finding a publisher, Ubi Soft rescued this title, and it made it to shelves after all--enjoying moderate success for some months after launch across all available platforms.
   
   As far as guides go, you're certainly getting everything you could want, or expect, and then some. Bestiary, item's lists, secret item locations, treasure item locations, walkthroughs, puzzle solutions, and full 3D maps. But as if all this weren't enough, you're also getting a short history of Dragon's Lair, profiles of the creators, and even a time line revealing every entry in the franchise (unfortunately, a couple of the more obscure sequels are so rare collectors will be hard pressed to ever find them), and that Dragon's Lair has appeared on almost every gaming platform ever made. My only true gripe with this guide is that while the guide tells you that collecting the treasure hidden in the levels opens new gameplay modes, it doesn't tell you what those modes are, or how much of the treasure you need to collect to unlock them (hopefully not all of it, as some of the treasure is VERY difficult to get--particularly in one specific room where the guide offers no suggestions or hints about how to get it). I'll have to ding it for that too--most people buy guides for the sake of puzzle solutions, finding secrets, and unlocking bonus content--sometimes even to the point of having the plot given away, being led by the hand, or having puzzles spelled right out; not to be given vague, inspecific hints, then left to figure it out on your own through repetition. Fortunately enough though, these instances are rare--in the overwhelming majority of cases, it does offer suggestions on how to get treasure (generally in a sidebar). You can argue that the best guides give away secrets without handing out plot spoilers, but in a game where the primary objective is so straightforward, is there really a point to it?
   
   All in all, while not perfect, this guide is an excellent companion for the game, almost completely ensures that you won't get stuck, is in full color, and has all the extras we've come to expect from modern strategy guides. It's also out of print, and near impossible to find on shelves unless it's by chance in a place that handles second hand games and guides. But people who bought this game as a permanent addition to their collection because of nostalgic value would do well to grab a copy of this guide while it's still available. It's the only official guide available for the game, it's inexpensive here on amazon, and I highly recommend it.

No comments about Tron 2.0 Official Strategy Guide.